"I am thrilled and moved to celebrate Martin Scorsese, not only as a great director but also for his extraordinary and priceless contribution to the rediscovery of great classic movies and, most of all, of Italian Cinema," he added.

Scorsese has long had ties to Italy as his grandparents on both sides had emigrated to the United States from Palermo, Sicily.

His 2002 film "Gangs of New York", featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis, was shot in Rome's famed Cinecitta studios.

The 13th edition of the famed film festival will run from October 18-28.

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